Nailable surface means and method for making same



Dec. 17, 1968 SWENCK ET AL AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME NAILABLE SURFACE MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 s m m W C T. H E WR WSGW/ K m v T mm A 66 6 RR H 00 EE h G Dec. 17, 196-8 5., swE c ET AL. 3,416,278

NAILABLE SURFACE MEANS AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 8, 1966 FIG FIG-6 FIG-7' E G R 0 G Y HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,416,278 NAILABLE SURFACE MEANS AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME George F. Swenck and George S. Gresham, Henrico County, Va., assignors to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 525,899 4 Claims. (Cl. 52-377) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to nailable surface means comprised of a plurality of panels interconnected in sideby-side relation and having elongated groove means provided therein for receiving nail means used to fasten an article against such surface means. Each groove means is defined by a cooperating pair of substantially resilient angular surface means which cooperate to provide an optimum strength clamping action against said nail means.

This invention pertains to improved surface means and more particularly to improved nailable panel means and to an improved method for making such nailable panel means.

Currently available metal surface means having nail receiving slots therein are expensive to manufacture and generally do not adequately clamp nail means received within such slots. In addition, the current methods usually employed to manufacture and assemble such metal surface means are quite involved and result in excessive costs.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide an improved, nailable surface means of simple and economical construction, while providing a lightweight structure having maximum structural strength.

Another feature of this invention is to provide nailable surface means having integral elongated groove means of unique configuration extending therein for receiving nail means therewithin and clamping such nail means firmly thereto and providing optimum holding action.

Another feature of this invention is to provide nailable surface means comprised of a plurality of identical elongated panel means having interconnecting end means providing the dual function of enabling simple assembly of adjoining panel means as well as defining elongated nail receiving groove means at the adjoining ends, such elongated panels also having groove means intermediate their interconnecting ends.

Another feature of this invention is to provide nailable surface means having T-shaped fastening means cooperating with elongated nail receiving groove means in such surface means to increase the nail clamping strength of such groove means and the strength of such surface means.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved method for making nailable surface means, comprised of a plurality of identical panel means, in an efiicient and economical manner.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved method for making nailable surface means by forming a plurality of identical panel means having integral interconnecting end means and interconnecting and welding such end means together to also define nail receiving groove means along their joined ends.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved method for making nailable surface means in which generally T-shaped fastening means is provided and fixed in position in associated nail receiving groove 3,416,278 Patented Dec. 17, 1968 means in such surface means to provide improved strength for such surface means.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved nailable surface means and an improved method for making such surface means having one or more of the novel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view with parts broken away showing exemplary nailable surface means of this invention in which an elongated panel means is shown with both ends interconnected with identical panel means and showing the use of T-shaped fastening means to reinforce such panel means at their adjoining ends and intermediate their adjoining ends.

FIGURE 2 is a front view of the assembled elongated panel means of FIGURE 1 in interconnected relation with the T-shaped fastening means removed and showing the outer surface thereof lying essentially in a common plane and also showing the configuration of the groove means therein.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view with parts broken away illustrating an exemplary die for making the panel means shown in assembled relation in FIGURE 1 and particularly showing the panel means being formed in such die, in a substantially arcuate path.

FIGURE 4 is a front view of a panel means after it leaves the die of FIGURE 3, particularly showing its arcuate configuration prior to assembly.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view with parts broken away illustrating an exemplary die for making a T-shaped fastening bar used to make the T-shaped fastening means of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating a plurality of panel means with their adjoining ends interconnected and welded along their junction and also showing nail means nailing a wooden member to interconnected panel means.

FIGURE 7 illustrates another embodiment of T-shaped fastening means interchangeable with the T-shaped fastening means shown in FIGURE 1.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustrated and described as being particularly adaptable for providing an improved method for making nailable surface means and for providing improved nailable surface means such as panel means for making floors and sidewalls, for example, of the type used in railway box car construction, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide an apparatus and method providing nailable surface means of all types, irrespective of their intended use.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiment illustrated in the drawings because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate an example of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

The improved nailable surface means of this invention, designated by the numeral 10 in FIGURE 1, comprises a plurality of identical elongated panel means or panels having integral interconnecting end means at their terminal ends which when interconnected provide groove means for receiving nail means therewithin. In this exemplary embodiment groove means is provided not only at the terminal ends of each of the elongated panels but also intermediate the terminal ends of each panel. The improved surface means also uses T-shaped fastening means cooperating with associated groove means and providing reinforcement at the junction of adjoining panels as well as providing reinforcement along the groove means located intermediate the terminal ends.

The method for forming the nailable surface means of this invention assures such surface means are constructed efficiently and economically. The plurality of identical elongated panels are preferably formed by extruding each panel through a suitable die while holding each panel with its dimension transverse the elongated dimension in an arcuate path to thus form narrow groove means in each panel having maximum depth. The panels have interconnecting ends which are interconnected and preferably welded to provide maximum strength.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 1 a plurality, shown as three in this example, of identical elongated panels each designated by the numeral 11 are illustrated. Each panel 11 has interconnecting end means and groove means or grooves each designated by the numeral 12 extending therealong for receiving nail means therewithin. Grooves 12 in this example of the invention are illustrated at the terminal ends and in the middle of each panel 11.

Each groove 12 is defined in the middle of an associated panel 11 as an integral part thereof by suitably forming the panel material along the middle portion of such panel. The grooves 12 at the ends of each panel 11 are formed by using cooperating portions of adjoining panels 11.

Interconnecting end means is provided at the terminal ends of each panel 11 and such interconnecting means also defines the groove means extending between adjoining panels 11 and comprises a cooperating pair of flange means or flanges designated by the numeral 13 and 14 in FIGURES l and 2. Flange 13 in each cooperating pair of flanges has an outwardly hooking terminal end means illustrated generally at 15. Cooperating flange 14 has a similar outwardly hooking outer end means or outer end 16 with a reverse hook illustrated at 17 in the terminal end thereof. The outwardly hooking end 15 of flange 13 is nested in the reverse hook means 17 as a pair of panels 11 are placed with their ends in adjoining relation to thereby interconnect such pair of panels together in aligned relation. The interconnected panels are held by hooking end 15 and reverse hook means 17 against movements generally perpendicular to flanges 13 and 14. It will be seen from the drawings that with panels 11 placed in interconnecting relation along their adjoining ends, the junction between such panels defines groove 12 which is generally identical to the groove 12 formed intermediate the ends of each panel 11.

With the adjoining panels 11 interconnected as described above they are welded along their adjoining surfaces. The weld is preferably made along the terminal outer junction of their integral interconnecting end means as shown at 18 in FIGURE 6numeral 18A indicates the weld.

As shown in FIGURES l and 2 each groove 12, whether at an adjoining end or intermediate a panel 11, has a flask-like cross-sectional configuration having bottom means or a bottom 20 and a pair of converging side means each designated by the numeral 21 extending from its associated bottom 20 toward the open end of groove 12. The sides 21 have an intermediate portion indicated generally at 22 in which they are in substantially parallel relation. The sides 21 at intermediate portion 22 preferably converge slightly to define a slight taper to the intermediate portion 22 of groove 12 thereby providing easy entry of nail means at the outer end of portion 22 with firm clamping action against such nail means being provided by a portion of each wall 21 which will be referred to as the lateral apex thereof and designated by the numeral 21A, see FIGURE 6. The open end of each groove 12 flares outwardly from the outer end of the intermediate portion 22 to define a Wide entrance into groove 12 and has a limited depth as indicated generally at 23. The width or span of such wide entrance to each groove 12 is shown at 24.

The sides 21 of each groove 12 are initially spread apart during the forming of each panel 11 as shown in FIGURE 4 and as will be described in more detail in connection with the exemplary method of this invention. Upon interconnecting a plurality of panels 11 together the associated pairs of sides 21 are yieldingly urged together so that such sides at intermediate portion 22 are in the slightly converging relation previously described; and, as will be seen in FIGURE 2 panels 11 have their outer surfaces lying in a common plane.

The panels 11 may be used to form top, bottom, or sidewalls of a construction or building unit and may be fastened in any suitable way to the major load carrying structure of such construction. Each panel 11 may also be formed having suflicient strength to be used as a load carrying structure.

The panels 11 in this example of the invention are suitably supported on wooden support means 26 as partially illustrated in FIGURE 6. Nail means such as a plurality of nails each designated by the numeral 27 are shown fastening a plurality of wooden members 30 to panels 11.

Each nail 27 extends through the member being fastened, a wooden member 30 in this illustration, and through the outer end of the tapered intermediate portion 22 of groove 12 in an unrestricted manner. As each nail 27 is driven into a groove 12 it is forced between cooperating walls 21' locally deforming that portion of lateral apex 21A through which it passes. This local deformation provides a clamping or gripping action holding nail 27 firmly in position and hence member 30 against the top surface of panels 11. The thickness, or diameter in the case of a round nail, of each nail 27 is also closely matched with the width at 22. Further, the converging arrangement of each side 21 terminating in apex 21A also assures that a yielding force is exerted against each associated nail 27. Each nail 27 is driven through its associated groove 12 at an angle with respect to the outer surface of panels 11 so that it strikes the bottom of such groove and is deflected upwardly. In the illustration of FIGURE 6 each nail is driven vertically downward at an angle relative to its associated groove 12.

One exemplary application of this invention has been in railroad box cars where a lightweight structure of high strength is desired. For example, a railroad car floor made using a plurality of panels 11 not only provides a smooth high strength floor which is readily assembled but also provides numerous anchor points using nails 27 in cooperating grooves 12 to tie down cargo. While the panel'means 11 in the railroad box car application were metal panels containing aluminum, it will be appreciated that other metals as well as other suitable materials could also be used.

T-shaped support means or fastening means is provided for use with panels 11 to provide added rigidity and strength therefor. FIGURE 1 illustrates one embodiment of a plurality of T-shaped fastening means or T-shaped members each designated by the numeral 31. Each member 31 is shown in dotted lines in its withdrawn position and in solid lines it is shown inserted within its associated groove 12.

Each T-shaped member-31 has a transverse arm 32 and a leg 33, having a slight outward taper, extending generally normally therefrom. The taper of leg 33 helps define the corresponding slight inward tapering of the intermediate portion 22 of groove 12. Leg 33 is inserted within an associated groove 12 and firmly clamped in position by the intermediate portion of sides 21 at 22. The arm 32 in each instance is fixed to panel means on either side of its associated groove 12. It will be seen from FIGURE 1 that each T-shaped member 31, whether associated with an end groove or an intermediate groove has its associated arm fixed to panel 11 preferably by welding completely around the entire periphery thereof.

Arm 32 has a thickness as indicated generally at 34 which corresponds to the limited depth 23 of the open end of groove 12 and a width which corresponds generally to the width 24 at the entrance to each groove 12. It will be seen, therefore, that upon inserting a T- shaped member 31 within an associated groove 12 its arm 32 is nested within the open outer end of such groove at 24. Each arm 32 is then preferably welded as shown at 40 to its associated panel or panels 11 to provide added strength therefor and to provide added stiffness to its associated groove 12 thereby helping to maintain its flasklike configuration. The members 31 fastened at the adjoining interconnected terminal ends of panels 1.1 also assure that such panels do not come apart.

The number of T-shaped members 31 used in connection with each associated groove 12 will vary and will depend on the application and type of material being used. Also the number of such grooves 12 in each panel may be varied as desired.

The T-shaped members 31 are preferably made from a T-shaped bar 36. Bar 36 is preferably made as by extruding using a suitable die 37 a portion of which is shown in perspective in FIGURE 5. Bar 36 is suitably cut along its length to define the T-shaped members 31. Bar 36 is extruded so that its width across the transverse arm 32 is smaller than the entrance 24 to each groove 12 and the outer edges of arm 32 are generally parallel to leg portion 33. The ends of each T-shaped member 31 of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 lying transverse to an associated groove 12 each have an arcuate configuration which is generally concave and designated at each end by the numeral 38. As shown in FIGURE 1 weld 40 is received about the entire periphery of arm 32, being received on the arcuate end portions 38, and between the side edges of arm 32 and panel 11.

The T-shaped members 31 are used generally as previously described and when used in addition to weld 18 provide added strength for the joined panels 11.

Another embodiment of T-shaped fastening means or members is shown in FIGURE 7. The T-shaped members of FIGURE 7 are identical to those of FIGURE 1 execpt as will be presently explained. Thus, each of such members will be designated 31A and all generally identical parts will be given the same numeral designation as previously followed in this latter embodiment by the latter designation A. Further, the function and general manner of fastening members 31A in position is the same as previously described, therefore such description will not be repeated.

The members 31A are also readily formed from bar 36 by merely cutting arm 32A at its opposite ends so that each end lies in the same plane as the associated end of leg 33A. This latter construction eliminates the arcuate cuts provided in the opposite ends of arm 32 of members 31 and thus provides a more economical construction.

The method for making the nailable surface means comprises forming a plurality of identical elongated panels 11 each having groove means therealong and each having integral interconnecting end means preferably along both ends. The interconnecting end means not only provides interconnecting action but also defines groove means along the adjoining ends of panels 11.

Each individual panel 11 may be formed in a press operation, a bending operation, or the like, it is preferably extruded using a die 41 as illustrated in FIGURE 3. Die 41 has an opening illustrated at 42 which defines the configuration of each panel 11. The opening 42 is so constructed that upon extruding a panel 11 therethrough it is formed in the arcuate configuration shown in FIGURE 4. This forming arrangement enables the forming of deeper groove means 12. Thus, as each panel 11 is assembled to define nailable surface means as shown in FIGURE 1 the height of each side 21 and particularly of the intermediate portions as shown at 22 provide an improved arrangement for frictionally holding associated nail means in position.

While the method preferably provides means for forming groove means 12 as a portion of the interconnecting end means at each opposite end of each panel 11 as well as intermediate the interconnecting end means, it will be appreciated that groove means may be provided only at the ends or only in the intermediate portion of each panel 11 or only at one end of each panel as desired.

Each panel 11 is formed during the forming step with a pair of flange means 13 and 14 at opposite ends thereof and extending generally normally from the same surface or side, preferably the inside surface of the nailable surface means. Flange 13 has an outwardly hooking terminal end indicated generally at 15, while flange .14 has a similar outwardy hooking outer end 16 with a reverse hook 17 in its terminal end.

The interconnecting step comprises interconnecting the hooking terminal end 15 in nested relation within an associated reverse hook 17 of an adjoining panel 11. The junction of terminal end 15 with reverse hook 17 is shown at 18 in FIGURES l and 2.

The next method step preferably comprises welding a pair of adjoining panels 11 (see FIGURE 6) along the junction means defined at 18.

Having interconnected a plurality of panel means 11 and welded along their associated junction 18 the next method step comprises forming a plurality of T-shaped means 31 each having a transverse arm 32 and a leg 33 extending generally normaly therefrom. The leg 33 has a thickness wider than the width of an associated means defining groove means illustrated at 12. The leg 33 of each T-shaped member 31 is inserted in an associated groove 12 so that panel means engaging both sides of such leg hold each T-shaped member 31 firmly in place and the arm 32 of each member 31 engages the outer surface of panel means 11.

Arm 32 is then welded as shown at in FIGURE 1 to one or more panels 11 depending upon whether T-shaped member 31 is associated with groove means intermediate panel 11 or at an end thereof respectively. Each weld 40 extends around the entire periphery of associated arm 32 to provide added support for the associated panel means as well as reinforcing the associated groove 12 to provide greater holding action.

Thus, it is seen that an improved nailable surface means is provided which is of simple and economical construction and which employs a plurality of identical elongated panel means having integral interconnecting end means for interconnecting such panel means together in nested aligned relation and having nail receiving groove means extending therealong for receiving nail means and clamping such nail means firmly in place. The nailable surface means further includes T-shaped fastening means cooperating with associated groove means to provide added strength for associated panel means and associated groove means.

Further, this invention provides an improved method for making nailable surface means efficiently and economically by forming and using a purality of identical panel means in an effective manner.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by statute, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claimed subject matter which follows.

What is claimed is:

1. Nailable surface means comprising, a plurality of identical elongated panel means having integral interconnecting end means interconnecting said panel means together in nested aligned relation, said panel means having elongated groove means extending therein for receiving nail means therewithin and said groove means having an upper end portion defined by a cooperating pair of oppositely arranged substantially resilient angled surface means, each angled surface means being defined by a pair of cooperating planar surfaces which converge toward a common lateraly extending apex, and upon nailing a given nail means through said groove means a local deformation of each angled surface means is provided adjoining each apex to provide a greater contact area against said nail mens while simultaneously each resilient angled surface means yieldingly exerts a clamping force thereagainst which cooperates with said greater area to clamp and hold said nail means in position in a high strength manner, said groove means being defined by said integral interconnecting end means at said end means and along said panel means intermediate said end means, each of said groove means having an identical cross-sectional. configuration and an open end which flares outwardly to define a wide entrance thereto, with said entrance for each of said groove means having limited depth and further comprising, a plurality of preformed substantially nondeformable T-shaped fastening means each cooperating with an associated groove means, each of said T-shaped means having a transverse arm and a leg extending generally normaly therefrom, each of said legs being inserted within associated groove means and firmly clamped in place and each of said arms having a thickness corresponding to said limited depth and a width corresponding to the width of said wide entrance of an associated groove means, and each of said arms being nested within the wide entrance of an associated groove means and fixed to panel means on either side thereof immediately adjacent said open end to provide added support for said panel means.

2. Nailable surface means comprising, a plurality of identical elongated panel means having integral interconnecting end means interconnecting said panel means together in nested aligned relation, said panel means having elongated groove means extending therein for receiving nail means therewithin and said groove means having an upper end portion defined by a cooperating pair of oppositely arranged substantially resilient angled surface means, each angled surface means being defined by a pair of cooperating planar surfaces which converge toward a common laterally extending apex, and upon nailing a given nail means through said groove means a local deformation of each angled surface means is provided adjoining each apex to provide a greater contact area against said nail means while simultaneously each resilient angled surface means yieldingly exerts a clamping force thereagainst which cooperates with said greater area to clamp and hold said nail means in position in a high strength manner, said groove means being defined by said integral interconnecting end means and said integral interconnecting end means comprises, a cooperating pair of flange means at each end of adjoining identical panel means, one of said flange means in each pair having outwardly hooking terminal end means and the other of said flange means in each pair having similar outwardly hooking outer end means with reverse hook means in the terminal end thereof for receiving said outwardly hooking terminal end means of said one flange means in interconnecting relation, each of said outwardly hooking terminal end means having an end portion arranged substantially perpendicular to a planar supporting surface of said nailable surface means and being arranged approximtely coplanar with a plane bisecting an associated groove means to provide maximum resistance to local deformation by nail means striking surface means defining said reverse hook means of said other flange means supported thereabove.

3. Nailable surface means as set forth in claim 2 further comprising fastening means for fastening together each interconnected cooperating pair of flange means to provide greater strength for said surface means.

4. Nailable surface means comprising, a plurality of identical elongated panel means having integral interconnecting end means interconnecting said panel means together in nested aligned relation, said panel means having elongated groove means extending therein for receiving nail means therewithin and said groove means having an upper end portion defined by a cooperating pair of oppositely arranged substantially resilient angled surface means, each angled surface means being defined by a pair of cooperating planar surfaces which converge toward a common laterally extending apex, and upon nailing a given nail means through said groove means a local deformation of each angled surface means is provided adjoining each apex to provide a greater contact area against said nail means while simultaneously each resilient angled surface means yieldingly exerts a clamping force thereagainst which cooperates with said greater area to clamp and hold said nail means in position in a high strength manner, said groove means being defined by said integral interconnecting end means at said end means and in which said integral interconnecting end means comprises, a cooperating pair of flange means at each end of adjoining identical panel means, one of said flange means in each pair having outwardly hooking terminal end means and the other of said flange means having similar outwardly hooking outer end means with reverse hook means in the terminal end thereof for receiving said outwardly hooking terminal end means of said one flange means in interconnecting relation, each of said outwardly hooking terminal end means having an end portion arranged substantially perpendicular to a planar supporting surface of said nailable surface means and being arranged approximately coplanar with a plane bisecting an associated groove means to provide maximum resistance to local deformation by nail means striking surface means defining said reverse hook means of said other flange means supported thereabove, said groove means at each end means having an identical cross-sectional configuration and an open end which flares outwardly to define a wide entrance thereto, with said entrance for each of said groove means having limited depth and further comprising, a plurality of preformed substantially nondeformable T-shaped fastening means each cooperating with an associated groove means, each of said T-shaped means having a transverse arm and a leg extending generally normally therefrom, each of said legs being inserted within an associated groove means and firmly clamped in place and each of said arms having a thickness corresponding to said limited depth and a width corresponding to the width of said wide entrance of an associated groove means, and each of said arms being nested within the wide entrance of an associated groove means and fixed to panel means on either side thereof immediately adjacent said open end to provide added structural strength for said panel means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,574,586 2/1926 Loucks, et a1 52-588 2,907,417 10/1959 Doerr 52377 3,152,669 10/1964 Johnston 52364 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

C. W. ISA. \CS, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 52588 

